Overview

• UKHSA surveillance shows flu positivity up to 5.0% from 3.3% week on week, GP influenza‑like illness consultations rising to 5.4 per 100,000, and hospitalisations increasing to 1.27 per 100,000 from 0.73.
• COVID-19 hospital admission rates rose to 4.65 per 100,000 from 3.41, with 2,917 cases identified in hospital settings versus 2,547 the previous week and XFG (Stratus) the most prevalent sequenced lineage.
• WHO lists XFG as a variant under monitoring with low assessed global risk, and UK data do not indicate increased severity even as positivity among those 85+ has risen.
• Officials urge vaccinations now for eligible groups, including older adults, pregnant people and clinical risk groups, with schoolchildren offered a nasal spray and parents asked to return consent forms.
• Symptom overlap makes clinical diagnosis unreliable; shortness of breath is more typical of COVID-19, some report hoarse voice or a very painful sore throat with recent variants, and testing is the only way to be certain, alongside advice to stay home, limit contact and consider a face covering if you must go out.